Today’s post will be very short because this documentary cannot be described. You simply have to see it. David Blaine is a famous American illusionist, who’s so extraordinary that lots of celebrities him over and ask for private performances. You can see some of his tricks in this film. All I can tell you is that he’s not just a random street magician who makes a coin disappear. David is extreme in his actions and what he does isn’t illusion anymore. I cannot even explain, all I can do is feel huge respect towards him. Although sometimes I was wondering whether he’s aware how dangerous some of his tricks are. Because leaving comfort zone is one thing, putting yourself in danger is another. Hard for me to judge as I don’t know David personally, but I have mixed feeling watching his performances. Still, they are mind-blowing, so I bet you will enjoy this documentary and perhaps it would make you reflect about everything presented and David himself.
What would you say for a thriller mocking the human nature? I said “yes” and didn’t regret it. We start with a group of random people waking up in the middle of nowhere, in some forest. They find a huge cache with weapons and soon after that some other people are trying to kill them. Only few manage to run away, but get killed in some other way. From that moment we’re following Crystal (Betty Gilpin), an army veteran. She’s very smart and observes a lot, so it’s not that easy to trick her. But you might be wondering what’s going on there. Well, all this is a huge hunt, but instead of animals, the hunters have human beings to catch. And the reason why they do that is very simple – because they can. It’s a very interesting production presenting our human nature and how easy it is for us to get into the role of the oppressor. In the end, people care about their own well-being and if they have enough money or contacts, they can do whatever they want. Sometimes it’s buying expensive cars, and sometimes it’s hunting other people. You have to forgive me my sarcasm as I’m a realist and I often make such comments. But if you’ve been reading me for some time, you’ve got used to that. Anyway, a very good idea for a film that entertains (because it’s generally quite funny), but also opens your eyes. Humans are very strange creatures and this productions shows how much worse it can get. Enjoy!
I needed some time to finally watch this film. I was pretty sure that it would be a very childish production and I wouldn’t like it at all. Not sure why I thought so, but I can tell you – I was wrong. Indeed, the main characters are three sixth graders Max (Jacob Tremblay), Lucas (Keith L. Williams) and Thor (Brady Noon), but it’s a story full of serious issues. Each of the boys is a bit different, but together they make a really nice team. One day they get invited to a party organised by a very popular student Soren (Izaac Wang) and it’s a big chance for them all to become more respected by their peers at school. Plus, Max is secretly in love with Brixlee (Millie Davis), his classmate, and this party would be a chance for him to kiss her. And here comes a little problem – none of the boys knows how to kiss, so they try everything to learn this skill before the party. Literally, everything. And you may think this is a film rather for children, but I wouldn’t say so. As an adult, I enjoyed it very much because I could get back to my childhood memories and remember how I was going through their drama, so lack of acceptance among peers, parents’ divorce or first crushes. It’s funny, because I was a bit of each of the three boys and for me it was adorable to watch how little humans deal with such struggles, and in my opinion they do that very well. Besides, this film presents that children’s problems are serious, even if to adults they may seem trivial. A very pleasant comedy that may take you for a ride to your own childhood, so give it a chance.
Let’s get crazy today! Sunday sounds like a perfect day for a fast ride. All we need is a handsome protagonist, a funny lady and a psycho who likes placing bombs in random spots. Today I’m giving you “Speed”. Everything starts with two LA police officers Jack (Keanu Reeves) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) trying to save people stuck in an elevator. Sounds like a job for technicians? Well, not if there’s a bomb attached to the elevator and the guy responsible for that (Dennis Hopper) demands 3 million dollars. Luckily, the policemen manage to save the people and are pretty much sure that the bomber got killed. Oh how wrong they are. Soon after that Jack witnesses a bus explosion and gets a call from the same bad guy, who says that he still wants money, even more, and if he doesn’t get it, another bus will explode. But here’s a trick – he tells Jack which bus that is and says that the bomb will activate when the vehicle reaches 50 miles per hour and detonate when it drops below 50. Which means, after it reaches 50 miles per hour, it cannot slow down or stop because the bus will explode. Not sure what you think guys, but I didn’t need more to watch the film. I loved the idea and I think that the film is generally decent. It’s thrilling and exciting, but also funny since Sandra Bullock is one of the passengers. I think it’s a very good choice for a Sunday afternoon, so catch it and remember – do not slow down!
Not that long time ago I told you how much I like shorts and I wish for them to be more recognisable among people. That is why today I’m recommending you a very interesting short production. It’s only 16 minutes long and I bet watching it this year intensifies the experience. We get to meet Lambert (Julian Sands), who wishes to escape to some dream world of his. In order to do that, he meets a mysterious man (Ben Miller) that can help him, but only if Lambert pays him with everything he owns. And I really wish to tell you more, but since it’s a short, I would probably end up spoiling it entirely. That’s why I’m shutting myself up, because this film is too good to be spoiled. I absolutely loved the idea and the ending made me smile like baby when it sees a big lollipop. But just to be clear – it made me smile because I thought it’s so on point, not because it’s a positive one. Sometimes it’s hard for me to express what I think about films, because I can be watching a horror where people are dying and I can be thrilled clapping my hands because I’m amazed by the camera work and editing. I hope that if you’re also a film freak like me, you struggle with a similar issue. We just cannot watch films with ordinary people, because they would think we’re some kind of psychos. I promise I’m not a psycho, I just appreciate well-made productions and I find “The Escape” definitely worth watching. And discussing, especially in 2021.
I think everyone should see this film, especially if you like stories about superheroes. But in this case, those superheroes exist and live among us. They don’t need any extraordinary superpowers or fancy costumes to support people in need. This production is presenting the live of two men who are dedicating themselves to underprivileged youth. Bruno (Vincent Cassel) and Malik (Reda Kateb) have been friends for many years and they’ve been running two non-profit organisations where they’re taking care of youngsters with disabilities and training the ones whose problem is lack of education or skills. We can follow their actions and see the world from another perspective. And I believe this film is very important considering the message coming out of it. We need non-profit organisations and additional institutions to support people in need as governments care least about them. Which is pretty obvious – they want healthy and independent individuals who can earn money. Which government wishes to have more people with special needs? And alright, the world is ruled by money, I get it. It wouldn’t be a problem if governments just let those organisations do what they want and are able to do to help others. But it’s definitely not okay when governments do everything to complicate all the procedures, which often leads to closing charity and non-profit organisations. And you can see all that in the film. I had chills watching Bruno and Malik’s struggle, but also an enormous effort and motivation visible in their actions. Obviously, it’s not a documentary, but the film is very well-made and sometimes you may forget you’re watching fiction. Because this fiction is telling us a real story and it’d be great if we listened.
I had so much fun watching this film and I have to share it with you. We meet Darla and Bailey, who will soon spend a lot of time together. Darla (Brittany Snow) is a sex addict, who’s been ordered to attend recovery meetings. At the same place, she meets Bailey (Sam Richardson), who’s having meetings next door as there’s a support group for people diagnosed with cancer. Bailey has survived testicular cancer, but soon he will have to have another surgery during which he will lose his second testicular. The whole situation is very overwhelming for him, especially since he’s just broken up with his fiancée. Darla and Bailey are totally different, but they can help each other. The woman has recently lost her job and to get it back she decides to go across the country and relive her sexual intercourses again. But it would be impossible to do it with all her sexual partners, so she wants to go with Bailey and have sex with him in all those places. He can get crazy for the last time before the surgery and for Darla it’s some kind of an unusual therapy and a chance to get her job back. Oh, in case you’re curious about her workplace, because I didn’t make it clear – she’s a journalist and her task during the trip is to write a blog about it. It is a bit silly idea, but I enjoyed it in the end. I think the actors were chosen perfectly as they honestly fit to their roles. What can I say? A quite strange, yet fresh comedy is waiting for you!
A lot of people were telling me about this film and when it was screening in cinemas, I remember I couldn’t go for some reason. And then I promised myself to watch it as soon as it gets released. Days were passing and I kind of forgot about this production. But recently I reminded myself about it and thought that I’ll use my day off to see it. I must tell you that watching this film during the day, when it’s still bright outside, made the whole experience a lot different. Better, in my opinion. Still, for those who have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m presenting you “Midsommar”. It tells the story of a group of young people going to Sweden to take part in a midsummer celebration together with some mysterious commune. I don’t want to explain you the relations between those young people because it would take too long and, in my opinion, that’s the least interesting part of the film. I mean, I completely don’t understand why they needed to make all this drama in the first 30 minutes of the film. So my hint – just survive the first half hour. And then they join the commune so the adventure begins. Everything seems so peaceful and pure there. People are incredibly hospitable and the group of friends feel taken care of. Until the moment when this adorable picture becomes a horror. And surprisingly, this film isn’t disgusting and there are no paranormal activities happening. It’s just a midsummer celebration with a group of people following their traditions. And personally, I’m buying it. I like then filmmakers try new things and not copy-paste the same creepy guys with axes or ghosts opening doors at night. This horror is glamorous, subtle and serene, but at the same time you feel uncomfortable and something is hurting you from the inside. I was absolutely amazed by the camera work and how the whole story was told. Especially the ending, which was throwing questions at me that I couldn’t answer myself. And that music after the ending – such a small thing and yet made me clap my hands. Creepy, I know. Still, I’d love to discuss this film with the filmmakers because I feel like there’s a bunch of hidden messages that are difficult to read on your own. I actually feel like I’ll return to this production and see it again some day, because it’s more of an unusual experience that just a scary story.
What would you say for a romance with Keanu Reeves in very elegant clothes? Rhetorical question, moving on then. Paul Sutton (Keanu Reeves) returns home after World War II to San Francisco. He’s hoping to see his wife Betty (Debra Messing) that he married right before his departure. Paul was constantly writing her letters and wished to start a family after the war. Unfortunately, the woman didn’t even bother to read the letters and when the man got back, she kept pushing him to be a chocolates seller. Paul, however, would like to do something else as the war has set up new priorities in his mind. Therefore he leaves his wife and goes to Sacramento. On the way he meets Victoria Aragon (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón), a young woman who shares a secret with Paul. She’s got pregnant with her professor and is horribly scared to return home as she’s not married. The woman is very charming so Paul decides to help her and pretend to be her husband. At first those two are just friends playing a game, but shortly they realise there’s something more between them. In my opinion, it’s a classic romance. A man meets a woman and they fall in love with each other despite any obstacles. Still, it wasn’t that common and I enjoyed following the characters, even though I knew exactly how it would end. Besides, I absolutely adore costumes from the early 20th century as I find them very elegant, yet comfy. Perhaps this film won’t surprise you much, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you’re into romances. Or Keanu Reeves.
Today I’ve got a Swedish production made in Georgia. Nice mix, huh? At first it seemed strange to me that this film was the Swedish entry for Oscars in 2020, even though it’s filmed in Georgia, with Georgian actors. The director is, however, from Sweden and of Georgian origins. So I absolutely understand his choice to make this film, but it’s still awkward to see such production as a representative of the Swedish cinema. Still, the film is very good so ignore my blah-blah-blah at the beginning and let’s focus on the plot. It’s about Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani), a young man who’s been dancing at the National Georgian Ensemble. He’s passionate about dancing and cannot imagine doing anything else. One day, a replacement dancer joins their team. His name is Irakli (Bachi Valishvili) and he’s a lot different from Merab. Merab seems to be rather calm and sedate, while Irakli is a true rebel. And the rebel is also more talented in dancing, so Merab feels threatened with losing his position. However, those two start practising together and the more time they spend, the more they become friends, not rivals. And one day, they realise that friendship is not everything between them. It’s a beautiful story about passion and learning oneself. Still, it is a very controversial production, especially considering what happened in Georgia before the first screening. The authorities didn’t like the film at all as it’s against their own values, especially the ones connected to religion. And I understand that for some people it’s a difficult production, but everyone should have a choice what they want to see and believe in. Personally, I was amazed by the wonderful dancing you can see in this film and I believe that Georgia should be proud of this film. Yes, it does show affection between two men, but it also show what beautiful traditions Georgia has. But as I said, each person has their own preferences and opinions. From me it’s a huge “yes” and I recommend you all to see the film.
I have nothing to watch 